HORSHAM, PA – The first in a series of hard-shell mobile devices designed specifically for emergency responders dealing with harsh weather, extreme environments, and other grueling conditions that make normal cell phones impractical has been developed by Two Technologies, headquartered in suburban Philadelphia.

The N4 - an Android™ device housed in an ultra-rugged polycarbonate shell, is water proof and heat-resistant. It features a 5.5 inch diagonal high resolution 720 X 1280 Super AMOLED display, the powerful Android version 4.3, and an unprecedented 70 key backlit keypad. Other key features include a hot-swappable battery, optional 3 channel magnetic stripe reader and an 8MP color camera.

“We are a 27 year old US manufacturer raising the bar on durability in mobile computing with the ultra-rugged N4,” she says.

“N4 is the next step in providing better communications gear for responders in challenging and dangerous environments. It is already being used by some Public Safety ground operators to collect data, to stay on top of rapid developments in the field and to communicate with other remote responders.”

N4 incorporates the Samsung Galaxy Note series of smart-phones, is rugged to MIL-STD 810 G and operating temperatures of MIL-STD 810F. With a hot swappable battery, operators never have to exit an application, reboot, and then re-enter the application to change the battery. It can also be submerged up to one meter while remaining in an application.

Information can be stored in the N4’s 16GB internal memory and additional Micro SD memory is available up to 64GB. A drop-in cradle with spare battery charger may be used for desk-top or vehicle mounting. The device is IP67 rated and meets or exceeds MIL-STD 810G using methods 516.6 and method 514.6 for both shock and vibration.

The N4 can be ordered with a standard QWERTY keyboard or select a keypad that fits an application precisely. Aside from the Samsung device, the N4 is entirely produced in the USA.

“Mobile phones come in all colors, shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common – they are unreliable in extreme weather conditions and disposable,” says Rickards. “This is what sets N4 apart – these are the conditions in which it performs best.”